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Cats & Animal Shelters

There are many more homeless cats than dogs.  There are several reasons for this.

1.  Many states have "dog laws" that require shelters to accept dogs but there is no mention of cats. Many states also mandate that before a shelter can adopt out an animal, it must be fixed. This has led to the dog population remaining pretty controlled. Not true for cats.

Since most states don't require shelters to intake cats, there has been more focus on dogs. The result has led to a huge overpopulation of cats and particularly homeless cats.  

2.  Many shelters limit cat intake or don't take in any cats (Managed Intake). There are so many homeless ones that it can quickly and easily overburden the shelter. (It lowers Live Release Rates too.) If shelters have this intake policy, where do the homeless cats go? Many are abandoned on the streets to fend for themselves.  And most are NOT fixed. This fuels more breeding.

3.  Cats reproduce more often than dogs. It is possible for a cat to have up to five litters of kittens in one year, especially in warmer climates where breeding season doesn't really end. Dogs, on the other hand, can have up to three litters of puppies in a year.

Woman Hugging Dog
Grey Cat
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